15 Personal Item Backpacks for International Travel Part 2(2025): More Space, but Risky!

For most flights, my personal item is the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small. The top-oriented compartments and tons of organization make the pack really accessible while it's underneath the seat in front of me or in the overhead bin. For ultra-budget airlines where they put every bag in sizer boxes and/or weigh every bag, I use the Aer Go Pack 2.

Aer CCP2

Great list, Danny! I’d add two more: one is the Almond Oak 25+5, which you’ve reviewed, and is a sleeker, more laptop-friendly competitor to the Osprey 26+6. The second is a bag that is the exact opposite of what you prefer in a backpack: the Military 28 from Cabin Zero. It is simple with few pockets and no separate laptop compartment, and has a tactical vibe. But it is light (less than 2 pounds), compressible, has an excellent harness system and bullet-proof construction, and costs less than $100.

Danny, hello!
Tom Bihn Synik 26/30 Spectron or Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Ultra ?
If needed carry MBP 16.2 , 0,75 - 1 L water bottle and have good rain protection ?

Awesome video!

Mate seriously, try doing something budget atleast once a while. Try some decathlon stuff, i know you get paid by these companies but some budget stuff would be awesome. And no $100 isn't budget

Another hearty vote for Decathlon packs. I have the Quechua NH Escape 500 16 L, which qualifies as 'personal item' under more stringent European budget airlines. Also comes in 23L (personal item) and 32L (carry on).

Very good design and quality at very budget prices.

My 'one bag' for the last three years is the super cheap Ecohub 16". It's 20 L and designed exactly to stringent European budget airlines 'personal item' maximum. I've done just over 7 months of travels (hosteling) in the last three years, and it still looks new. Cost me $30.